St. Thomas Cathedral, named after Saint Thomas the Apostle, is the very first of Anglican type of church in Mumbai. It is located in the historic prime center of Mumbai on Veer Nariman Road, in close proximity to Horniman Circle Gardens and Flora Fountain. The structure or the building that houses the church has been lately reinstated. It is worthy to mention that St. Thomas Cathedral had been conferred with UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award in the 2004.
Standing under a white façade, this church was shaped in Neo Gothic style and bears stark resemblance with the St. Thomas Cathedral of Ireland, and even today it upholds its beauty and grandeur. The entrance has been decorated with a fountain and there is also a memorial for the first Bishop of Bombay. The interiors are made of brass, glass work, plaster of paris with arch shaped windows and 'cannon-ball-proof' terrace. There are colourful stained glass windows that depict St. Thomas, portraying him and reminding visitors of his great contribution to Christianity. St. Thomas is shown standing in between St. Gabriel holding a lily that symbolizes purity and St. Michael with double edged sword that signifies truth and justice.
A visit to this cathedral is sure to give a clear picture of the old city of Mumbai and is bathed in the timeless history of the city. Tourists pay their visit to this magnificent cathedral in search of peace and others just to savor the architectural beauty of the place.
History of the Attraction
The construction work of the church was initiated by Governor Aungier in 1676 AD but his death led to the discontinuation of the work. Again in 1710, the construction of the remaining structure was undertaken b East India Company Chaplain with the aim of conferring this Anglican masterpiece St. Thomas Honor. Officially, the Church was flung open for the public 1718 AD.
Things to do and see in and around
Being a holy place in itself, the visitors can surely find peace and tranquility amidst the magnificence of this cathedral. They can also undertake little shopping around locals like Lokhandwala, M.G. Road, and Horniman.
The local street food stalls are enough to settle your hunger that offers variety of mouthwatering delicacies and fast food options.
Getting There
The Cathedral is located near Horniman Circle which is centrally situated in Mumbai and thus can be easily reached from any part of the city. You can avail local transport such as public buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws to reach this cathedral. Trains can also be availed to reach this destination. The nearest railway station which is at a distance of five minutes is M.G Road Station.
The Church remains open for devotees from 6:30 Am to 6: 00 PM on normal week days.
